Emission (lit. sending out) is the term used to describe the discharge of pollutants to the air, ground and water.  In order to reduce environmental pollution by emissions, stringent limits have been prescribed in the Technical Instructions on Air Quality Control (TA Luft) by the German Federal Immission Control Act (BImSchG). This represents a significant environmental protection objective.
 
Maximum limitation of environmental pollution as a result of incineration and co-incineration of waste throughout Europe, is the aim of the new guideline 2000/76/EC. The guideline specifically defines certain operating conditions, special technical equipment requirements and emission limits.
 
Obtaining permission to build a waste incineration plant is subject to adherence to limit values for all pollutants as prescribed by the responsible regulatory authority. These may vary from municipality to municipality. Authorities may for instance make an approval conditional to fulfilment of half the value prescribed by the 17th Directive of Germany's Federal Immission Control Act (17. BImSchV).